When is it appropriate to put the tree up?

If it is going to make you happy, then this weekend is perfect.

I am sorting out my baubles this weekend so I can try and have a coordinated tree this year

Tidyskatemum I feel rather like you do. Not that many years ago Christmas Eve and Day were the start of the festive season, not the end.

For us, it signalled the start of a few days holiday and we would spend time between Xmas/NY visiting or hosting friends and family for afternoon tea (leftovers, of course!) and so on.

As a family, we try to keep that tradition going but it's difficult in the face of people wanting to rush back to the shops on Boxing Day and ripping down decorations.

One year, my son and family who live in America came over for Xmas on 23rd Dec. When we took the children into town, the shops were taking down their decorations, replacing them with sale posters and cut price goods which people had paid full-price for just a day or two previously. It looked so shabby.

I acatually complained to one department store, one that is never knowingly undersold, and they did have the grace to look a bit shamefaced.

Not yet, FFS! I had a fit at my son in the US the other day when I spotted his Christmas tree already up and it wasn't even Thanksgiving. If you really must start decorating then not before the start of December and only then if you have an artificial tree or the poor thing will be a bare twig by Christmas. What really bugs me is how many people take everything down as soon as Boxing Day is over - I was always told that the festive season ended on 6th January with the Epiphany.

I saw a house today that had outdoor decorations up. A Santa climbing up a ladder and a Santa going down the chimney!

We now buy Nordic pines which dont shed leaves (much). Twice the price of spruce and dont smell as good but oh so much better when it comes to needles!

Put up Christmas Eve, leave until Candlemass (2 February), the traditional end of Christmas in Middle Ages.

My son in law is Brazilian and puts his tree up in November, because that's what they do in Brazil. Tradition in the UK was Xmas Eve, but I suppose anything goes these days. All the shops have got theirs up and street lighting/decorations etc where I am. So.....

Next weekend!

No hard and fast rules but decorations will go up second weekends in December and the (real) tree the Sunday before. We have lots of lights everywhere!

We have a grotto!
Until our 1st DGS arrived in 2013 it was bah humbug at chez Cherry.

We had a small conservatory built in 2016
Last December DH got all the christmas decorations out the loft and our two little grandsons were let loose in the conservatory.
We had a lovely fun time.
Result a Christmas grotto
It is now our new family tradition

Usually the first Sunday in December for me but I’ve had a miserable couple of weeks so I’m putting it up tomorrow

When the schools break up then the kids/grandkids can help

I'll put mine up the first weekend in December. It's artificial, a bit like a white twiggy witches hat not unlike shysal's lovely effort (shape-wise).
Then I'll put my home-made garland on the banisters with dangly ornaments if you'll pardon the phrase.

I'm with you Day6. Love Christmas and decorating the house, will be starting this weekend???

Mine usually goes up around second week of December. We have a tree decorated and just some Xmas ornaments on window ledge and coffee table.

We usually wait till mid December but this year we are going away for a weeks holiday at this time. So, for the first time ever, i hope to put the tree up on the 1st Dec. It will be nice coming home and everything done. One year we moved house on the 20th Dec. I still managed to put a small tree up and had everyone here for Christmas lunch.

Ideally 1st December (fake tree, obvs), but as i am a comper the first is very busy with the starts of the Advents, so i do it the last day of November. I get 90% of my pleasure from the build-up to Christmas, so for me it makes sense to get myself in the mood.

Mine usually goes up second or third weekend in December but it does also depend on when I can persuade one of my sons to go in the loft to get the decorations out.

Now that I am officially a chrone I take great joy in doing as much as I possibly can... inappropriately !!

Start decorating house inside and outside on 1st December, we have a real tree in the lounge so that doesn't come in and get decorated till around 13th (sons birthday). Have given in as of last year and have a small artificial (White Company very authentic) tree in dining room so that will be up around 2/3rd December. As we have DD and GS living with us at the moment and he is just coming up to 3 this is the Christmas that he is really taking note, and already singing carols learnt at Pre-school. On a sad note this is the first Christmas without my marvellous Mum, she was the heart of our family and loved Christmas so much, being surrounded by her 2 DDS, GC and GGC, we have her birthday to get through before the festive season also. I am sure there will be lots of tears over the coming months ??

So sorry Marnie, do hope you manage to find a little joy at Christmas all the same. Will be thinking of you,

I found what I am sure is a simply fantastic way of dealing with the tree shedding pine needles all the way out of the house.

I take a double bed sheet and lay on the floor, then lay the tree down on it once all the decorations are off and then wrap the sides of the sheet round it, before dragging or carrying it out. (Most of ) the pine needles will be inside the sheet, which you shake into the bin or onto the compost before putting the sheet into the dirty clothes' basket.

Actually, irrespective of when a tree is felled it stays fresher if kept longer outside - it's the heating inside that makes the pine needles drop off.

I put my tree up on the 22nd or 23rd December and take it down on the 5th January. People think my odd, because I don't put up any decorations at all until after my birthday on 26th November.

I think everyone should do what suits them best and no-one says you have to do the same every year.

Marnie.....that is a very sad situation.

What kind of parents did you have Flower to tell you such mean things!

Talking of elves, yes Chewy it is they who distribute all the pine needles around your house,when you have gone to bed.